Blood sugar levels

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia, or 'hypo', occurs when the blood sugar levels are too low and fall below about 4 - 6 mmol/L. It means that the child does not have enough sugar in the bloodstream to meet their body's needs.

Note : Do not use diet soft drinks or artificial sweeteners to treat a low blood sugar reaction. Also, do not give food or drink by mouth if the child is very confused, is having a convulsion, or is unconscious.

If possible, the child should check their blood sugar first to confirm that the symptoms are due to hypoglycemia and then treat the reaction. After taking in the food, the child should wait 10 - 15 minutes. If symptoms continue, the treatment should be repeated.

If there is a severe reaction at school, the teacher or other school personnel should immediately follow their predetermined emergency procedures.

Children with very high blood sugar levels may appear drowsy. They are often very thirsty and need to go to the washroom all the time.

Children with diabetes should always be allowed to drink and use the washroom when they need to.

Treat high blood sugar by giving extra insulin and a non-sugary fluid, such as water. If the blood sugar continues to rise, it can lead to a life-threatening condition called ketoacidosis.

Teachers who suspect that a child with diabetes has very high and uncontrolled blood sugar levels should contact the parent(s) or guardian(s) immediately. The teacher should also call the parent(s) or guardian(s) if the child becomes ill at school, and especially if the child is vomiting.

Trust the child

It is important to trust the child. It is usually unlikely that children with diabetes would pretend to have high or low blood sugar levels in order to avoid schoolwork.

Children usually don't want to be "different" from others, and they don't want to be treated differently because they have diabetes.

Teachers who feel that there may be a problem with an individual child should always discuss these concerns with the child's parent(s) or guardian(s).

Teachers should never refuse a child's request for water, access to a washroom or to check their blood sugar level.

If teachers note that their student with diabetes is having frequent hypoglycemic reactions at school, is leaving the classroom frequently to go to the washroom, or is having other symptoms that cannot easily be explained, they should be in touch with the parent(s) or guardian(s) to let them know about these symptoms. It is only in this way that we can be sure that children with diabetes will be able to get the most out of their schooling.

Who we are

Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy.

Novo Nordisk employs approximately 40,000 employees in 75 countries, and markets its products in more than 180 countries.